Soda fountain draft head



March 24, 1953 F. H. BEALL SODA FOUNTAIN DRAFT HEAD s Sheefs-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 9, 1946 INVENTOR 774/1 lZEeaZZ. v

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3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR- 7 Zeal]- BY M,% y ATTORNEYS.

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F. H. BEALL SODA FOUNTAIN DRAFT HEAD Fig. 4

March 24, 1953 1led Aug 9, 1946 March 24, 1953 F. H BEALL 2,632,468

SODA FOUNTAIN DRAFT HEAD Filed Aug. 9, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 5

v INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 24, 1953 SODA FOUNTAIN DRAFT HEAD FrankH. Beall, Detroit, Mich.; Lois Viola Brown Beall, executrix of said Frank H. Beall, deceased, assignor to John A. Maxwell, Detroit,

Mich.

Application August 9, 1946, Serial No. 689,566

25 Claims. (01. 137-636) This invention relates to means for dispensing charged Water, that is, Water charged with CO2 gas at soda fountains.

The soda water valve has always presented a particular valve problem as it operates under high pressure and has to operate in one direction to give a broken stream of soda water to fill the glass rapidly and in the other direction to ive a fine high speed jet of soda water to mix the solution and produce a foam. This problem is further complicated by the fact that movement of the handle in either direction from the off position to the on position is limited and produces a difficult sealing problem.

A valve in common use today brings the soda water under pressure through the valve casin to a centered hole in a washer against which is pressed a metal disk arranged to be rotated by the handle. A passage is provided in this disk which connects the centered hole with an outlet hole adjacent the edge of the disk. Circumferentially spaced on either side of this latter hole are two holes in the washer which are connected by passages in the casing to the nozzle. When the handle is moved forwardly, the disk rotates to connect the centered hole supplying the soda water through the passage in the disk with the passage in the casing for giving a broken stream of soda water; and on moving th handle backward, the passage in the disk connects the centered hole with the passage in th casing to the jet. The pressure between the rotatable metal disk and the washer is obtained by screwing into the casing a plug having a rounded face which bears against the disk and permits the rotation on the principle of a ball-and-socket joint.

The difiiculty with this valve, as well as all others in use today, is that with any wear of the leather washer the valve starts to leak and has to be adjusted, and at very frequent intervals.

The object ofthis invention is to provide a selfadjusting valve which, when connected into the system, will remain leakproof during the life of the washer.

A second object of this invention is to provide a valve for a soda fountain system that can be easily assembled and readily disassembled whenever it is necessary to change washers.

A third object of the invention is to provide a valve easily made of stainless steel.

A fourth object of this invention is to combine "two of these valves to be operated by a single handle using one valve to deliver the soda water and the second valve to deliver a flavored sirup from a sirup container.

A fifth object is to use water, as from th city water supply, and provide a carbonator to charge the water with CO2 gas as it goes to a valve in the draft head, a second valve in said draft head connected to a container having sirup under pressure and a single handle to operate the valves to simultaneously supply sirup and charged water to the nozzle on the forward movement of the handle.

A sixth object of the invention is to sup ly a container, which is readily opened and easily sealed, with a source of fixed reduced CO2 pressure, so that the amount of sirup per operation of the valve can be regulated.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevational View of a soda fountain draft head, embodying the invention, the operating handle of the head being removed and parts thereof being broken away and shown in section for clearness of illustration.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view with parts in section along the line 2--2 of Figure l Figure 3 is a front elevational view of a modified form of the valve where all the parts are assembled from the operating side, parts being broken away and shown in section for clearness of illustration;

Figure 4 is a front view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing two valves operated by a single handle to simultaneously supply sirup and soda water; and

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the component parts of the soda fountain system.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose f illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral l designates a erally barrel-shaped stainless steel valve casin having an elongated supporting neck I66 and an internal cylindrical chamber 42. The latter opens through a countersink 6 in one side of the casin l and is normally closed by a threaded plug 2!. A sealing gasket 8 behind plug 2| prevents fluid from leaking past the threads and makes chamber l2 fluidtight. Charged water under pressure flows into chamber l2 through a pipe 35 in neck and discharges therefrom through passages 29 and 32 to a nozzle 3| which is provided with the usual cup 30 for supplying a low pressure, broken stream and a jet 33 for p iding a ig pressure, concentrated stream. It will be observed that passage 29 discharges into cup 38 and that passage 32 discharges into jet 33.

As suggested, this invention is concerned primarily with internal valve mechanism for controlling passages 29 and 32, which mechanism can be easily assembled or disassembled, maintains an efficient seal for relatively long periods of time, and does not require frequent adjustment or replacement of parts. According to the present invention the internal valve mechanism comprises a pivot having a relatively large cylindrical portion 9 which is journaled in a socket I I provided centrally in the closed side of chamber I2 and a relatively small terminal shank portion 9' which is journaled in a socket provided in the casing I behind and concentric to socket II. Intermediate portions 9 and 9 of the pivot are formed with an integral square portion I8, and casing I is provided with an inwardly tapered radial slot 2 which accommodate'the valve actuating arm 3 of an operating handle d. It will be observed that slot 2 extends inwardly past the pivot and that actuating arm 3 is provided at its inner end with an enlarged section having a square opening '5' which receives and snugly fits the square pivot portion I8. Thus the pivot is rocked back and forth by manually pulling handle l downwardly or pushing it upwardly on the casing l. By providing spaced bearings II and ii for the pivot and fastening actuationg arm 3 thereto intermediate the bearings the pivot is better able to sustain side thrust against the handle 4. Manifestly, considerable leverage can be imposed on the pivot by lateral pressure on the handle t, and, if the pivot is not solidly supported, this leverage causes rapid wear of the pivot journals and bearings and also reduces the life of parts carried or actuated by the pivot.

Disposed side by side in the chamber I2 is a disk-shaped washer i5 and a pressure plate I], the former confined between the pressure plate and the inner radial wall of the chamber and both the washer and pressure plate peripherally engaging the outer annular wall of the chamber l2 as indicated at I6. Washer I5 preferably is made of leather saturated with wax but may be of any suitable materia1 that yields under pressure and is inherently resilient. The pivot portion 9 extends through washer I5 and abuts the radial confronting face of plate I'I. Formed integrally on the projecting end of pivot portion 9 is a fiat-sided, axially extending tang l8 which enters a correspondingly shaped socket formed in pressure plate II, which affords a universal joint action but rotatably locks the pivot to pressure plate II. Thus, the pressure plate I'I rocks back and forth with the pivot, and it has an opening 25 which aligns with orifice 2? for passage 28 when handle 4 is in the extreme forward position, is aligned with orifice 28 for passage 32 when the handle is in the extreme rearward position, and is disposed between the two passages as shown in Figure 2 when the handle is in neutral position. Washer I5 is fastened to the casing I by pin 25 (Figure 2) and is provided with holes 21 and 28 which register with orifices 2i and 28 respectively, so that fluid in the chamber I2 may be directed either into passage 29 or into passage 32 or retained in the chamber by selectively positioning the handle l. Alternatively, the washer l5 may be fastened to pressure plate II, in which event it would merely be provided with a single hole in register with opening 26.

Pressure plate I7 is axially movable in the chamber I2 so that fluid pressure against its outer face compresses the washer I5. Thus, pressure against the washer I5 increases directly as the pressure in chamber I2 increases. Also,

clearance is provided behind portions 9 and 9' of the pivot so that the latter shifts axially under pressure against plate II; but it will be readily apparent that this movement is slight and does not in any way affect the efiicacy of the pivot support. In effect, however, the cross-sectional area of washer I5 is reduced by the area of pivot portion 9, and the hydrostatic pressure in the washer is increased proportionately. In this manner the hydrostatic pressure in washer I5 is always greater than the fluid pressure against pressure plate l1, and an efficient seal between opening 2% and passages 29 and 32 is assured at all times when handle 4 is in neutral position, as well as the seal of the flow of liquid from chamber I2 to radial slot 2.

In order to assure proper positioning of the pivot, the latter is constantly urged against the pressure plate I? by a small spring 20 which is disposed in socket 6' behind the pivot portion 5'; and, to prevent this spring from reducing the sealing efiect of washer I5 at low pressures, its action is overcome by a relatively larger spring 23 confined between plug 2| and a follower 24 which in turn presses against the outer face of the pressure plate.

In operation, the operator pulls the handle 4 forwardly to register opening 26 with hole 21 to allow the soda water to flow down passage 29 to cup 38, which breaks up the jet effect and provides a broken stream of soda Water, and, on pushing the handle back, registers hole 26 with hole 23 and allows the soda water to flow down passage 32 to jet nozzle 33.

Water is charged with CO2 gas in a carburetor I93 (Figure 5) andthence passes to chamber I2 through pipes IE2 (Figure 5) and 35 (Figure 2). V

In Figure 3 I have shown an alternative form of the valve where all the parts are assembled from the operating side. In this modification similar parts are given similar numbers with Figures 1 and 2. In this form there is provided a casing I in which is drilled a stepped hole 50-50.

Into hole 50' there are fitted spring 23 and follower 24. Pressure plate 5|, which is integral with stem 52, is next inserted. On stem 52 is mounted washer I5 which is pinned to metal washer 53 by pins 25. Metal washer 53 is fixed against rotation with casing I by a key, not shown. Washer 53 is positioned against axial movement by plug 54 which has a centered hole to accommodate stem 52. Handle 55 is then positioned on one side by bearing plug 56 and on the other by bearing plug 51. Member 58 is next inserted and is keyed to the handle 55 by key 59 and positioned by plug 60. Member 58 is connected to stem 52 to provide rotary movement by tang I8 and clearance is provided between stem 52 and member 58 to accommodate any wear on washer I5.

In this modification, as in the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, the fitting of the parts is desired to be with reasonable tolerances, that is, a nontight fit, so that the parts can be self-aligning to the slight degree required, which requirement adds to the ease of manufacture of the valve by 'not requiring highly accurate machine work.

In operation, rotation of the handle forward or backward positions opening 26 in pressure plate 5! either to register with hole 21 or hole 28 in the washer I5 as in Figure 2 to provide either a broken stream of soda water from cup 30 or a concentrated streamfrom jet 33.

which overlies the washer 15.

The form of the invention shown in Figure 4 is used for simultaneously dispensing sirup and sirup, as desired. The inner and smaller hole of the stepped holes forms the bearing for the rotatable member 12 having the squared portion 13 fitting into the square hole in the valve turning means 3'. The partition 14 between the cylindrical chamber TI and cut-away portion 2 forms one of the closure means for said chamber. Surrounding the controlling member 12 and bearing against closure means 14 isthe washer 15. Mounted on the controlling member 12 for rotatable'movement therewith by a rounded tongue 16 fitting into groove 11 is a pressure plate 18 As in Figure 1 the cylindrical chamber H is sealed by the plug 2I screwed into threads 22 against the gasket 22', and the pressure plate 18 is biased against the washer 15 by the spring 23 and follower 24. To permit axial movement of the pressure plate 18 in both the right-hand and left-hand valve, there is provided a clearance 19 between the squared portions 13 of the rotatable members 12. A fiat spring 80 may be provided if desired to position the controlling members 12 against the pressure plates 18.

In this form of the invention either valve could be used for the soda water, but as shown the soda water under pressure enters the left-hand cylindrical chamber through orifice BI and the sirup enters the right-hand cavity through orifice 82. The washer 15 is pinned to the cover plate 10 by pins 83 and a hole 84 is provided extending through both the cover plate 18 and the washer 15. In the left-hand valve this hole is located midway between the orifices in the closure means 14 for chamber II leading to passages 29 and 32 lea-ding to the nozzle 3| the same as in Figure 1. In the right-hand valve the orifice in the closure means 10 leading to passage 85 is located to register with hole 84 on the forward movement of the handle so that the sirup flows down passage 85 at the same time that the soda water receiving its supply of water from pipe I05 leading to the city water supply.

Orifice 82, Figure 4, in casing I communicates with sirup container I09 via tube I 06 which passes through arm I00 and leads to needle valve I01 for adjusting the sirup flow and tube I08 which extends to the bottom of the sirup container, Container I09 is equipped with a sealing vmeans comprising a neck .IIIl provided with a .QYl I QIiQQI, portion, .II I. .and a threaded portion II2. Screwed into said threadedportion H2 is the wing plug II3. This wing plug is centrally drilled with hole I I4 through which passes the bolt II5. Fixed to the bottom of bolt H5 is the disk IIB which slidably fits the cylindrical portion III and is separated from wing plug II3 by rubber Washer II1. Bolt H5 is provided with threads II8 on which is threaded wing nut II9.

Carbonator I03 is supplied with CO2 from the cylinder I20 through reduction valve I2I which maintains a constant feed pressure in tube I 22 leading to carburetor I03. Leading from tube I22 is a branch tube I23 leading to reduction valve I24 which maintains a greatly reduced pressure in tube I25 which leads to two-way valve I26 and then to container I09 through tube I21. In one direction of operation two-way valve I26 connects tubes I25 and I21 and in the other direction of operation seals tube I25 and vents container I09 to the atmosphere so that it can be opened for filling.

In operation, the cover I30 is removed from the soda water cabinet ml and valve I26 turned to vent the container I09 to the atmosphere. Wing nut I I9 is then loosened and the wing-plug I I3 assembly is unscrewed and sirup poured into the container I09. The wing plug [I3 is then screwed into place and wing nut II9 screwed up to give an initial set on washer II1. Valve I20 is then turned to connect tubes I25 and I21 and introduce a gas pres-sure in container I09. Moving valve handle 4 forward permits a flow of sirup through tube I08, needle valve I01, and tube I06, and through the right-hand valve in casing I to glass I3I. At the same time, soda water from carbonator I03 flows through pipe I02 and through the left-hand valve in casing I' into the glass I3I. On moving the valve handle 4 rearwardly, only a flow of soda water from carbonator I03 through tube I02 and the left-hand valve in casing I to glass I3I takes place. This latter provides a jet of soda water to produce the foam on the soda water to be served.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred example of the same and that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A soda water faucet for soda water under pressure comprising a valve casing, means in said casing for conducting soda water to a generally cylindrical chamber therein, closure means for the ends of said chamber, a nozzle on said casing, two passages in said casing for conducting said soda water from said chamber to said nozzle, said passages terminating in two spaced orifices in one of said closure means, said spaced orifices being located adjacent the wall of said cylindrical chamber, a valve in said chamber to control the flow of soda water to either one or the other of .said passages, said valve comprising a Washer bearing said last-mentioned closure means, a hole in said washer registering with a hole through said last-mentioned closure means, a rotatable controlling member passing through said holes and a rotatable handle connected therewith, a rotatable cover plate in said cylindrical chamber overlaying said washer and mounted on said rotatable controlling member for rotation therewith, said cover plate having a hole adjacent the wall oi said cylindrical chamber, said hole being inormally positioned .axially in said cylindrical chamber over-a .poiritbetween said spaced orifices, said hole and said spaced orifices being so positioned that on rotation of said handle and said controlling member in one direction said hole in said cover registers with one of said orifices and on rotation of said handle in the opposite direction said hole in said cover plate registers with the other of said orifices, and said conducting means for said soda water being connected to said cylindrical chamber adjacent the second of said closure means whereby the pressure of said soda water on said cover plate compresses said washer and the rotation of said handle controls the flow of soda water from said conducting means'to said nozzle.

2. The combination of "claim 1 further characterized wherein said rotatable controlling member is de'tachably connected'to said rotatable cover plate, said connectin means including means to constrain said cover plate to rotate with said rotatable controlling member.

3. The combination of claim 1 further characterized whereinsaid rotatable controlling member is composed of two sections, said cover plate being connected to one of said sections, and detachable connecting means between said sections to constrain said sections and said cover plate to rtate together.

4. The combination of claim 1 further characterized by the provision of means to permit said cover plate to move axially to compensate for compression and wear of said washer.

5. The combination of claim 1 further characterized by additional elastic means to press said cover plate against said washer.

-6. The combination of claim 1 further characterized by means to prevent said washer from turning with said cover plate and two holes in said washer registering with said orifices in said first closure means.

7. The combination of claim 1 further characterized by means to permit said cover plate to align its operating face with the face of said washer against whichit presses.

8. The combination of claim 1 further characterized by means to cause said washer to turn with said cover plate and .a hole in said washer which registers with the hole in said cover plate.

9. The combination of claim 1 further characterized wherein said washer is composed of a material capable of deformation under pressure.

10. A soda water faucet for soda water under pressure comprising a valve casing, a conducting means in said casing for conducting soda water to a generally cylindrical chamber therein, closure means for the ends of said chamber, a nozzle on said casing and two passages for conducting said soda water from said chamber to said nozzle, said passages terminating in two spaced orifices in one of said closure means, said spaced orifices being located adjacent the wall of said cylindrical chamber and said conducting means for said soda water being connected to said chamber adjacent the second of said closure means, a valve in said cylindrical chamber to control the flow of soda water from said chamber to one or the other of said passages, said valve comprising a washer bearing against the first specified closure means, a hole in said washer registering with a hole through said closure means, said hole in said closure means forming a bearingfor a-rotatable controlling member, a rotatable cover plate in said cylindrical chamber overlaying said washer and mounted on said rotatable controlling member for rotation therewith, a rotatable handle connected with said rotatable controlling member exterior of said chamber and means to prevent any side thrust on said handle to misalign said rotatable controlling member in said bearing.

11. The combination of claim 10 further characterized by the provision of means to permit said cover plate to move axially to compensate .for compression and wear of-said washer.

12. The combination of claim 10 further characterized wherein the means to prevent said side thrust on said handle operating to misalign said rotatable controlling member comprises a second bearing for said rotatable controlling member spaced from said first-mentioned hearing.

13. The combination of claim 10 further characterized wherein the means to prevent said side thrust on said handle operating to misalign said rotatable controlling member comprises a bearing fixed to said valve casing, said bearing independently supporting said handle.

14. In a device of the character described, a casing provided with a pressure chamber having a radial wall and an outlet port in said wall; valve means in said chamber for controlling said outlet port, said valve means comprising a pivot journaled in the radial wall and projecting into the-chamber, said pivot mountedfor rotation and having limited axial movement, a pressure plate spaced from and parallel to said radialwallabutting against the projecting end of the pivot and connected thereto for rotation therewith, said plate-rotatably and axially movable with the pivot and having'an orifice positioned to align with said outlet port in one rotative .position of the plate and adapted to move out of alignment therewith in another rotative position of the plate, and a washer of inherently resilient material interposed between the pressure plateand said radial wall and having an opening positioned to effect communication between the orifice and port when the pressure plate is positioned to bring the same into alignment; means for rotatably actuating said pivot; and means for introducing fluid under pressure into the chamber behind said pressure plate, whereby fluid pressure in said chamber reacts against the pressure plate to move the same axially and compress the washer to seal said outlet port.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein the connection between said pivot actuator means and said pressure plate affords a slight universal joint action.

16. The combination as set forth in claim 14 wherein the washer is of lesser area than the pressure plate.

17. The combination as set forth in claim 14 wherein oppositely acting spring means are arranged -at opposite sides of the pivot-pressure plate assembly, the spring acting against the pressure plate being stronger than the spring acting against the pivot.

18. A faucet for controlling charged water at soda fountains and the like comprising a valve casing provided with a fluid pressure chamber having a radial wall and outlet ports for fluid under pressure in said wall, the ports being lo cated substantially equidistant from the center ;prising :a-deformable washer'arranged so thatthe outermargmal portion thereof bears against said g radial wall, a rotatable pressure plate overlying said washer and movable axially thereagainst to compress the same, and means for rotating said pressure plate, the central portion of said washer being unsupported and the supported outer marginal portion thereof being of lesser area than the pressure plate whereby fluid pressure imposed on the total area of the pressure plate is applied against the supported outer marginal portion of said washer, a hole in said pressure plate positioned to register separately with said outlet ports and adapted to move out of register with all of said ports during rotation of said pressure plate.

19. The combination of claim 18 further characterized wherein said deformable washer is composed of leather impregnated with a waxlike material.

'20. In a device of the character described, a casing provided with a pressure chamber having a radial wall and an outlet port in said wall; valve means in said chamber for controlling said outlet port, said valve means comprising a rotatable pressure plate in said chamber spaced from and parallel to said radial wall and having an orifice positioned to align with said outlet port in one rotative position of said plate and adapted to move out of alignment therewith in another rotative position of said plate, and a washer of inherently resilient material interposed between the pressure plate, cover plate and radial Wall and having an opening positioned to eifect communication between the orifice and the port when the pressure plate is positioned to bring the same into alignment, said radial wall and said washer being so formed that the washer does not support thecentral part of said pressure plate and the supported outer portion thereof being of lesser area than the pressure plate, whereby fluid pressure imposed, on the total area of said pressure plate is applied against the supporting outer portion of said washer; a handle exteriorly of said pressure chamber; means connecting said handle and said pressure plate to cause said pressure plate to rotate with said handle; means in said connecting means to permit said pressure plate to press against said washer; and means for introducing fluid under pressure into the chamber behind said pressure plate whereby said fluid pressure in said chamber reacts against said pressure plate to compress the washer and seal the outlet port when said orifice is moved out of alignment with said outlet port.

21. In a device of the character described, a casing provided with a pressure chamber having a radial wall and an outlet port in said wall, a retatable valve means in said chamber for controlling said outlet port, a rotatable handle exterior to said cylindrical chamber and means connecting said handle and said valve means to eifect rotation thereof, said connecting means including a pivot member journaled in sai radial wall and projecting in said chamber, said valve means comprising a rigid pressure plate within said chamber spaced from and parallel to said radial wall and overlying the projecting end of the pivot member and connected thereto for rotation therewith, said pressure plate having an orifice positioned to align with said port in one rotative position of said handle .and adapted to move out of alignment therewith in a second rotative position of said having an opening positioned to effect communication between the orifice and the port when the pressure plate is positioned by said handle to bring the same into alignment, means for introducing fluid under pressure into said chamber behind said pressure Plate and means in said conneoting means between said pressure plate and said handle whereby said fluid pressure in said chamber acting against said pressure plate can move the same axially an compress the washer to seal the outlet port when said handle is moved to said second rotative position and said orifice is moved out of alignment with said port.

22. The combination of claim 21 further characterized by means to prevent any side thrust on said handle operating to misalign said rotatable pivot member in said journal.

23. The combination of claim 22 further characterized wherein said means to prevent misaligning of said rotatable pivot member comprises a second bearing for said rotatable pivot member spaced from said radial wall.

24. The combination of claim 22 further characterized wherein said means to prevent misaligning of said rotatable pivot comprises independent bearings for said handle mounted on aid casing.

25. In a device of the character described, a casing provided with a pressure chamber having a radial wall and outlet port in said wall, a second pressure chamber having a radial wall and outlet port in said wall, valve means in said chambers for controlling said outlet ports, said valve means comprising rotatable rigid pressure plates in said chambers spaced from and parallel to said radial walls, a handle exterior to said chambers and means connecting said handle to said pressure plates for simultaneous rotation therewith, said pressure plates having orifices positioned to align with said ports in one rotative position of said handle and adapted to move out of alignment therewith in a second rotative position of said handle, and washers of inherently resilient material interposed between said pressure plates and said radial wall and covered by said pressure plates having openings positioned to effect communication between said orifices and said ports when the pressure plates are positioned by said handle to bring the same into alignment, means for introducing fluids under pressure into said chambers behind said plates and means in said connecting means whereby said fluid pressure in said chambers acting against said pressure plates can move the same axially and compress the washers, said radial walls, cover plates and washers being so formed that the washers do not support the central portions of said pressure plates. whereby the fluid pressure imposed on the total areas of said pressure plates is applied against the outer supporting portions of said washers to seal said outlet ports when said handle is moved into its second rotative position and said orifices are moved out of alignment with said ports.

FRANK H. BEALL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 711,755 Blake Oct. 21, 1902 1,141,472 McCormick June 1, 1915 2,006,313 Geddes June 25, 1935 2,391,003 Bowman Dec. 18, 1945 

